Watch the video below to learn how to check springers, collect newborn calves and record their details.
Download this video here.
Checking springers
Cows close to calving, or springers, must be inspected frequently; most farms arrange for them to be checked at least every 6 hours and sometimes more often, especially in poor weather.
Check springers for signs of labour regularly, quietly, and thoroughly and record what you observe.
Early signs of labour
- Springing up - swelling of udder
- Milk dripping from teats
- Mucus string from vulva
- Restlessness
Stages of labour
Calving will progress at different rates for different cows. Some may show many signs whereas others may show very few signs.
Generally, labour can be broken into three stages: preparation for labour, delivery, and cleaning.
Preparation for labour
Look for these signs when observing springers:
- isolated from herd and reduced appetite
- pelvic ligaments relaxed - vulva looks swollen and flabby
- dip between tailhead and pin-bones
- tummy less full as calf moves into birth canal/birthing position
- mothering other cows’ calves
- discomfort – swishing tail, arched back, restless, peeing, kicking and nosing at her side, tail raising
- straining/contractions
- water bag protruding
Delivery
Cows should take 30 minutes to one hour to calve – no more than two hours. Heifers should take two to three hours to calve – no more than four hours.
⚠ Progress should be made every 20 minutes. If she is not making progress, intervention may be needed.
Cleaning
The cleaning process is where the cow's uterus sheds all material related to pregnancy and returns to its normal size. This process is necessary for the cow to return to normal cycling behaviour and improve her chances of becoming pregnant again in the future. It includes:
- The placenta will normally be shed within six hours of birth.
- The uterus then begins to shrink back to normal size.
- If only a small part of the placenta comes away, record this and let your manager know.
- Don’t pull on the placenta- this can damage the uterus and is painful for the cow.
The calving cow
Assessing calf presentation
Look at the way the joints move.
The front leg fetlock and knee bend in the same direction. The back leg fetlock and hock bend in opposite directions.
Use this to help identify if the calf is presented head first (normal presentation) or backwards (abnormal presentation).
Normal presentation


Normal presentation is when the two front feet and head move through the pelvis first.
The feet and head of the calf create a wedge which assists in opening the birthing canal.
Even if a calf is in the right position, assistance may be needed if the calf is too big for the cow.
The calf may need to be rotated to fit through the pelvis.
Abnormal presentation
A calf which is abnormally presented is likely to need assistance calving.
If you are unsure how to correct an abnormal presentation call your manager or vet for help. Watch and learn from anyone who is experienced in calving cows and take opportunities to feel for abnormal presentation and to assist with difficult calvings.
Assisting calving
If calving is not proceeding normally, remedial action must be taken. When assisting with calving, be sure to wear gloves to prevent spreading bugs between you and the cow and vice versa. Use plenty of lube to protect the cow, and to help make the calving easier for you and her.
If you need to correct the calf presentation, be sure to cup the calf’s hooves or teeth with your hand. This will help protect the cow’s uterine wall from being damaged.
Calving ropes, chains, jacks, or pulleys can be used to assist cows that are having trouble calving. However, they must be used correctly to make sure they assist the cow and do not harm her or her calf. A moving vehicle must not be used to provide traction to assist calving. See the Code of Welfare: Dairy Cattle.
Assist the cow to calve with gentle traction for 10 minutes. Work with the cow and her contractions. Assisting cows to calve can be very tiring- for us and them- and it’s important to make sure the cow receives the right intervention and care to minimise pain and distress. If you have not made progress, call for help.
Calf resuscitation
If calves are not breathing, attempt to resuscitate them immediately by:
- Clearing airways
- Rubbing flank of calf vigorously
- Tickling nostril with straw/grass to stimulate sneeze
- Pouring a bucket of cold water over the head to stimulate gasp
- Performing mouth to mouth/nose
Don’t hang a calf upside down to resuscitate – this compresses the diaphragm and makes it harder for the calf to breathe.
Signs a cow has calved
- Hollow looking or slab sided
- Appetite returned
- Red, stretched/floppy vulva, might be bruised or torn
- Blood/mucus in tail/udder/hocks
- Dirty flanks
- Teats clean/suckled by calf
- Has a calf with her
- Looking for a calf or murmuring to calf
- Afterbirth may be hanging out of vulva or already ejected – she may be eating it
Cows post-calving
Recently calved cows are fragile and need close monitoring. If you assisted the birth, check for a twin. Keep a close eye on the colostrum cows and report any that are showing signs of being unwell.
Find information about managing mastitis and looking after transition cows during the post-calving period. For information about caring for down cows, including lifting and moving, see the Down cows page.